Effect of mulch and irrigation levels on growth and productivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

A field investigation was carried out during the Rabi seasons of 2013-14 at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to examine the optimum level of mulch and irrigation levels on the yield performance of barley. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replication and nine treatments (6 t/ha mulching + no irrigation, 6 t/ha mulching + one irrigation at 35 days after sowing (DAS), 6 t/ha mulching + two irrigation at 35 DAS & 85 DAS, 4 t/ha mulching + no irrigation, 4 t/ha mulching + one irrigation at 35 DAS, 4 t/ha mulching + two irrigation at 35 DAS & 85 DAS, no mulching + no irrigation, no mulching + one irrigation at 35 DAS and no mulching + two irrigation at 35 DAS & 85 DAS). The results revealed that amongst different mulching and irrigation levels, the application of 6 t/ha mulching + two irrigation at 35 DAS & 85 DAS recorded considerably higher growth attributes viz. plant height (91 cm), leaf area index (LAI) (3.60) and dry matter accumulation (348.40 g/running meter) as well as grain yield (3580 kg/ha) and values of yield attributes viz. number of effective tillers/running meter (98), number of ear head/m2 (365), ear head length (17.27 cm), and test weight (41.07 g) over the other treatments. The superiority of make use of 6 t/ha mulching + two irrigation at 35 DAS & 85 DAS over other mulch and irrigation level was associated with the increase in availability of soil moisture and nutrient to plant roots due to the mulch and ample supply of irrigation.